More sex workers found with HIV<\/p>\n
Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
A study by the Yogyakarta health office has found that of the
\n300 commercial sex workers surveyed from September to December
\n2003, 13 had contracted HIV (human immuno-deficiency virus).<\/p>\n
Head of the health office, Dr. Choirul Anwar, said those
\ninfected with the virus were scattered throughout several red-
\nlight districts in Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
He said the office maintained a policy of discretion in
\nregards their identities.<\/p>\n
"If the identity of a person living with HIV is known to
\npublic, public condemnation can follow and cause social
\ndisturbances. We will not tell the (infected) sex workers,
\neither. We're afraid that under duress, they will run away and
\neven infect other people in retaliation," he said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The office relegated the close supervision of the sex workers
\nto their pimps.<\/p>\n
"Without telling them that they are infected with the virus,
\nwe have strongly suggested that they use condoms during sex," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Choirul believed that many more sex workers were infected with
\nthe virus.<\/p>\n
"We estimate that the actual number of those who have
\ncontracted HIV in Yogyakarta mayoralty is four times that in the
\nsurvey," he said.<\/p>\n
He added that in the last two years, the number of commercial
\nsex workers who had tested HIV-positive had risen to 20. Seven
\ntested positive in 2002 and 13 in 2003.<\/p>\n
"No physical indications are evident, as symptoms generally
\nemerge seven years after infection. It's very dangerous, as they
\ncould easily spread the virus without knowing," he said.<\/p>\n
The virus has not only spread among commercial sex workers,
\nbut also among inmates at Wirogunan prison.<\/p>\n
The condition of an inmate who tested positive for HIV on Dec.
\n16 has deteriorated rapidly, as he did not receive proper care.<\/p>\n
Two other prisoners have also tested positive for the virus in
\nthe past few months.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-sex-workers-found-with-hiv-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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